Page 551 - PERSIAN 4 1899_1905

9
RESIDENCY AND MA8KAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR THE YEAR 1904-1906.
through his friend Shoikh Mubarak, to meot him at an appointed rendezvous
with a view to tlicir coming to an amicable understanding and arranging an
adjustment of outstanding differences. It was a tine qud non to the proposed
meeting that Sheikh Mubarak should be present. This offer was accepted by
Ibn Saood, probably on Sheikh Mubarak's advice, but so Budden had been the
change of attitude on the part of the lurks that the two Arab Chiefs evidently
looked forward to the meeting with some misgivings and consequently elaborate
precautions wore taken by them to preserve their own dignity and at the same
time to ensure their safety.
In due course, however, the meeting or meetings, for there were two, took
shape at or near Sefwan between Koweit and Bussorah on the 6th and 14th
February, respectively, and with apparently satisfactory results.
From accounts which have since transpired as to what passed it appears
that Ibn Saood intimated his submission to ihe will of the bublime Porte and
expressed his readiness to accept a position of general subordination to that
Government and to admit small Turkish garrisons to Rcaz and Kaseem, on the
distinct understanding that, except for the above leaven of practical Turkish
influence, he should he left in undisturbed possession of his country and that
the Porte should guarantee to keep in check his Jebel Sharamar rival and to
prevent him from ever again disturbing the peace or interfering in the politics
of Nejd.
Sheikh Mubarak’s functions at the interviews appear to have been simply
those of an on-looker and referee.
The latest reports received up to the close of the year were to the effect
that the Mushir of Baghdad had started with a considerable force to post the
Turkish garrisons at ileaz and Kaseem, and it remains to be seen what will bo
the result of this measure. Now that the strife which has been so long and so
obstinately maintained between the two rival aspirants to the rulership of Nejd
has for a time at all events ceased to prevail, a period of rest and peace may
possibly be in store for the country which will enable it to achieve some
measure of internal prosperity; but this desirable end cannot be looked forward
to with any great degree of confidence. and there is a palpable reverse to
the shield.
Koweit affairs have for a long time past been so closely bound up with those
of Nejd that when the history of Nejd politics for the year has been chronicled,
little of importance remains to bo said regarding the affairs of Koweit itself,
the daily life of which under the strong hand of Sheikh. Mubarak are usually
uneventful.
As Sheikh Mubarak informed the Resident recently, the regular calling of
the British India Steamers at the Port materially added to the prosperity of his
territory and indeed the heavy cargoes carried there from time to time by the
British India Steam Navigation Company’s vessels demonstrate clearly enough
that the trade of the Port is expanding considerably.
Such statistics as Captain Knox has been able to collect form an appendix
to this report.
It may be mentioned in the same connection that the regular visits of fast
mail steamers to Koweit have necessitated the verification and amplification of
the charts of the ^arbour and approaches of the Port, and that this work has
been earned out during the past cold season by the Royal Indian Marine
approval ^^eam6r ^nve8^a^or w**h the Sheikh's cordial oo-operations

A Sheikh Mubarak complained a good deal during the early part of the year
fv ^5 report, of the harassing attentions paid to Dhows living his flag by
Persian Vote. His complete «ere espSally
.ul*!1 ttioDiroctor-Genmil 0{ Customs, Bushins, patrolled the mouthed the
L Mutaffer ^otedan unt£ml amount of attend
fiLinT™ °“ °“e occasion a party from the steamer even fired on
Bheikh Mubarak’s pnvate boom the lfusoUim as H entered Fao creek.